RTI Act

The Right To Information Act, 2005

This Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 15th June, 2005. The Act came into effect on 12th October, 2005.

The Act provides for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

"Right to information" means the right to information accessible under this Act, which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to inspection of work, documents, records, etc.:

Taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records

Taking certified samples of material

Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device

"Information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, log-books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

"An Indian citizen" who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English, Hindi or in the official language of the area in which application is being made, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to a: